What's Cuba Known For? Reasons to visit vacay hotspot

Cuba is located in the northern Caribbean Sea, where the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean intersect. The Cuban population spans over 11 million inhabitants.

Cuba is one of my favorite places on Earth. From the moment I set foot in Havana, I fell in love with everything, from the crumbling architecture to the beautiful beaches and the friendly, smiling people. 

But what's so special about Cuba?

What makes Cuba Special?

It’s a country of rich contrasts. Overlooking elegant plazas, shabby colonial buildings stand next to sleek modern hotels. Exquisitely restored vintage cars jostle for space in Havana while the highways around the country are curiously empty. 

5-star, all-inclusive beach resorts rub shoulders with rural villages that seem to be lost in time. There are tons of things to do in Cuba, this magical city.

But what is Cuba best known for? Cuban nightlife, cigars, and vintage cars may immediately come to mind, but there’s so much more to this amazing country than that.

Let’s take a trip to Cuba to find out what the country is known for.

6 Unique Reasons to Visit Cuba: Things They're Famous for!

Cuba, an island nation rich in history and culture, offers a unique blend of experiences not found anywhere else.

Here are six compelling reasons why a visit to this Caribbean gem should be on your travel bucket list.

6. Beautiful Beaches

Surrounded by sun-kissed white sand and the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean, Cuba is known for its incredible beaches. 

Home to over 2,000 miles of coastline, the island has an array of beaches from spectacular strips like Varadero Beach lined with glitzy all-inclusive resorts to secluded coves on Cuba’s countless cays like Playa Paraíso.

Varadero is one of Cuba’s most popular beaches. Set on Cuba’s narrow Hicacos Peninsula, it’s a great spot for enjoying a host of activities from snorkeling and diving in the gin-clear waters to kayaking, kite-surfing, and deep-sea fishing. You can also explore the surrounding cays on relaxing cruises from Varadero.

My favorite beach is Guardalavaca in the Holguin province. Fringed by footprint-free, white sandy beaches lapped by gin-clear waters, it’s a beach lover's paradise.

Pristine coral reefs and turquoise waters make it a fantastic spot for snorkeling and scuba diving. If you want to explore this old city, any of these Cuba tours will come in handy.

5. The Cuban Revolution and Fidel Castro

Cuba’s tumultuous history is marked by the Cuban Revolution when Marxist-Leninist leader Fidel Castro overthrew Cuban President Fulgencio Batista.

After 6 years of tough guerilla fighting by ragged and bearded rebels, the revolution ended when Batista fled Cuba in 1959 and Cuba became a communist state.

Diplomatic relations with Cuba haven't been at their best since then, but the country has recovered enough to be praised for its triumphs in education, healthcare, and social welfare.

4. Dancing

Arriba! Dancing is an integral part of Cuban culture, and it happens anywhere and anytime. Musicians strike up a tune during lunchtime on the streets of Havana and people start dancing. Nightclubs heave every night with the sounds of Latin music and locals dance the night away.

Cuba was the birthplace of dances such as the mambo, the rumba, the bolero, and the cha-cha-chá, now known worldwide.

If you want to see Cuban dancing at its best, head to the Tropicana Club on the western side of Havana. Nightly cabaret shows feature vibrant music and dancing, and 1930s-style showgirls clad in shimmering sequins and plumes of peacock feathers.

3. Vintage Cars

Havana is synonymous with its colorful, beautifully maintained classic cars from the 1960s. Fondly known as ‘Yank Tanks,’ these vintage automobiles have survived the test of time due to the ingenuity of Cubans, who are constantly revamping engines to keep their cars on the road.

But where are they from? During the early 1960s, the United States banned all exports to Cuba due to its communist government. The small, affluent middle class that drove the bulky and outlandish American cars before the Revolution had to make do with whatever was available and these cars were it!

Today, they are a symbol of Cuba and an essential part of the island’s picturesque vibes. Cruise around Havana in style in one of these beautiful old cars on a Classic Car Tour or head out in the countryside with the top down and the breeze in your hair!

2. Rum Cocktails

Another globally-renowned Cuban treasure is rum! Cuba is famous for its cocktails with the Cuba Libre being the country’s national drink! Made with rum, Coke, and lime, the Cuba Libre is cool and refreshing and perfect for Cuba’s hot weather.

Other famous aperitifs made with Cuban rum are mojitos and daiquiris. The mojito is a classic Cuban cocktail made with rum, mint, lime, sugar, and sparkling water. 

The daiquiri is made with rum, lime juice, and sugar or syrup, and can be served frozen or on the rocks.

Havana is packed with gorgeous rooftop bars where you can sip rum cocktails against a backdrop of beautiful city views, like the Iberostar Parque Central. My favorite bar though is El Floridita. 

Located right across the square from the Iberostar hotel, this tiny bar is the birthplace of the daiquiri and has been operating since 1817!

For the best mojitos in the world, head to the La Bodeguita del Medio in Old Havana where Nobel Prize-winning writer Ernest Hemingway was known to frequent.

1. Cuban Cigars

Cuban cigars, called puros, are widely considered the finest on the planet with top brands like Montecristo, Cohiba, and Partagás known all over the world.

Cigars have a long history dating back to pre-colonial times when Caribbean natives smoked the cheroots. The Spanish also took a fancy to it, though, and by 1542, a cigar factory had been established in Cuba.

The best way to learn all about Cuban cigars is to take a tour of a Cuban cigar factory. I took a guided tour to famous Cuban cigar factories. I also visited a tobacco farm in Viñales, which is a must if you have the time.

Final Thoughts

Crystal-clear beaches, delicious cocktails, fat cigars, and music, Cuba is undoubtedly one of Latin America’s hidden gems.

A feast for the senses in the best possible way, the largest island in the Caribbean brims with rich history, vibrant culture, and spectacularly untouched landscapes begging to be explored. All these and more tell a story of what is so special about Cuba.

Keep Organized With Pilot!

Now that you’ve discovered what Cuba is known for, are you ready to head to the Caribbean Island for some fun? Start planning your trip and let Pilot be your go-to for all your travel needs.